Okay, I have to say this...I hope it doesn't come out as ungrateful or unappreciative of all the kindness of anonymous gifts, but some of the comments in the Tagboard are making me nervous. I really am touched beyond words, but I'm also embarrassed and a bit guilty about it.


Let me say this first: I'm going to fool around with spinning at the Knitter's Review retreat, it'll be fun, but I can't see myself as a serious spinner - I live in FLORIDA, y'all! I need to spin like I need to become an expert downhill skier. Not to mention that I have a rather demanding career and a house that is falling down around my ears, as well as a neglected social life that I'd like to revive, and my free time for knitting is going to shift dramatically in the coming months. I have more yarn in my stash than I will be able to use in two years (when the going gets tough, the tough buy yarn, and I've bought a lot of yarn in the past couple of years). Please don't send me anything else. I feel ungrateful, turning away kindnesses like this, and I love you all for it, but honestly, I feel more guilty accepting this stuff, because I didn't post about the shitstorm that is my life to get either sympathy or free yarn. I started talking about it publicly because I am seriously aghast at the gaps in the health care system, the amazing morons in social work, the entire insane stressload dumped on families dealing with a critical illness, and it felt good to vent about it in the guise of Everywoman, who never saw the train coming and is now stuck firmly to the cow catcher, hurtling down the tracks. In case I haven't said it lately, I'm also very grateful for the wonderful support system I've found in my church, my neighbors, my online friends, and in a Huge Corporate Employer, that soulless demon, which turned out to be warm and supportive beyond my wildest dreams, as well as nearby friends who have stuck around and been genuinely helpful, listened to my ranting and plied me with margaritas, accompanied me to the funeral home to make the arrangements, and never said that all-time stupid thing I've heard over and over.... "OH, I know JUST how you feel, when my GRANDMA died...." (Hint: Losing your life partner of over two decades ain't nothin' like losing your Grandma. Never say that to anybody in my position, you'll be lucky if you walk away with your teeth.) Despite this hellish, hideous thing, I feel blessed in many ways. So please accept my gratitude for everybody's kindness and concern, but believe me when I say I don't need or want anything else!